Northwest grain terminal owners extended their final contract offer to the longshore union until Dec. 8.

As the game of chicken escalated, the employers rebutted union criticism of their offer, saying it would boost longshore wages and benefits to $64.75 an hour. The West Coast longshore union, which could call a strike at any time, did not respond Thursday, having earlier described the offer's terms as gutting safety provisions.

The moves by the grain-terminal negotiators signal they plan to play tough with the union, risking an expensive lockout while trying to force dockworkers to grant concessions worth millions of dollars in labor savings.